ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
MSME Ministry’s Technology Support and Outreach Programme
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises is organizing a programme on Technology Support and Outreach  tomorrow  in New Delhi. The objective of the programme is to educate MSMEs and enhance their awareness about latest technological innovation available and sensitize them on the role of technology in creating competitiveness and opportunities. Various research and development institutions in the country have developed technologies which are relevant for MSMEs for sustainable growth and can be made available in a cost effective manner. TECH – SOP is an initiative of the MSME Ministry to bridge the gap betweenresearch and development institutions and MSMEs so that they can use latest technologies and become a part of global value chain.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research , National Innovation Foundation-India , Indian Council of Agricultural Research, , Institute for Design of Electrical Measuring Instruments  and IIT, Delhi will participate in the TECH-SOP and guest speakers will address MSME on the issues of technology transfer and innovations.
A “India Green Tech Open Challenge” will also be launched tomorrow to encourage MSMEs to adopt sustainable and green technologies so that they remain competitive in the long run.
Ministry of Finance
Mumbai Air Cargo Customs arrest Drugs smuggler through dummy delivery of Courier parcels
Mumbai, 30 April 2022
Mumbai Air Cargo Customs have arrested a drugs smuggler operating through dummy delivery of Courier parcels. On the basis of an intelligence that a courier package originating from America was carrying narcotics drugs, watch was kept by the officers of Airport Special Cargo Commissionerate at the International Courier terminal. The package was intercepted and 910 grams of Marijuana originating in California was found concealed in an Air Purifier.
Following the interception of first package, intelligence was developed and also with the help data analytics, Indian Customs at International Courier Terminal of CSMI Airport in Mumbai intercepted three more parcels originating from North America during 22nd to 25th April. Intensive search of the parcels led to recovery of high quality hydroponics marijuana weighing 27.478 kilograms which was hidden in various household items like Outdoor Waterfall, Fake wood Leather Chair, and Propane Gas Fire Pit table. Such high quality marijuana of North American origin commands high price in excess of Rs.3000 per gram in the local illicit markets. The seized narcotics could collectively command price in excess of Rs.8 crore in local illicit markets.
The details of these detections and seizures were kept secret and surveillance was mounted by Customs officers disguised as auto rickshaw drivers and delivery men. The process of 'controlled delivery' of dummy parcels of identical shapes and looks, so that the actual recipient could not deny his involvement, was also undertaken with the help of Police. Sustained surveillance of targeted addresses were carried out by undercover Customs officers in the guise of auto drivers and delivery men so as to execute the operation in meticulous and flawless manner.
During the dummy delivery, in one of the cases it was found that the person receiving the parcel was sending it to another address, where the residents would call another person to collect the package. The third person who came to collect the package was found to be the mastermind of the operation. During the course of search at his residence, another 20 kilograms of marijuana, 120 grams of hashish and some other narcotics substances which are being tested have been found. Three persons have been arrested so far.
Further investigations are in progress.I PIB Mumbai | CP/DR
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Ministry of Mines
Cabinet approves merger / amalgamation of National Institute of Miners' Health with ICMR-National Institute of Occupational Health
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approvedto dissolve National Institute of Miners' Health , an autonomous Institute under Ministry of Mines  and merge / amalgamate with ICMR-National Institute of Occupational Health , Ahmedabad, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare  with all assets and liabilities; and absorb all the employees of NIMH in NIOH in the similar post/pay scale as the case may be and their pay be protected. NIMH, ICMR, NIOH, MoM and Department of Health Research , MoH&FW to take actions required for effecting dissolution and merger/amalgamation of NIMH with NIOH.
Impact:
The merger / amalgamation of NIMH with NIOH will prove beneficial to both the Institutes in term of enhanced expertise in the field of occupational health besides the efficient management of public money.
Background:
NIMH was set up by Government of India in 1990 and registered as a Society under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960. The registered office of NIMH is located at Kolar Gold Fields, Karnataka and the Central Laboratory in Nagpur. The Institute conducts applied research in occupational health and hygiene and specializes in providing technical support services to mining and mineral based industry with special reference to metalliferous sector and endeavors for safe mines and healthy miners through research & development.
The focus areas of NIOH include a vast array of areas related to occupational health which also includes, occupational medicine and occupational hygiene. In the context of review of working and performance of autonomous institutes, Expenditure Management Commission recommended, inter-alia, that- "Organisations with similar objectives can be considered for merger to encourage synergy in operations and reduction in cost". Accordingly, recommended merger of NIMH with NIOH.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves the incentive scheme for promotion of RuPay Debit Cards and low-value BHIM-UPI transactions 
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the incentive scheme for promotion of RuPay Debit Cards and low-value BHIM-UPI transactions  for a period of one year from April 2022.
- The approved incentive scheme for promotion of RuPay Debit Cards and
low-value BHIM-UPI transactions  in FY 2022-23 has a financial outlay of ₹ 2,600 crore. Under the said scheme, acquiring banks will be provided financial incentive, for promoting Point-of-Sale  and e-commerce transactions using RuPay Debit Cards and low-value BHIM-UPI transactions  for the current financial year FY 2022-23.
- The Finance Minister, in her speech on the Budget for FY2022-23, announced Government’s intent to continue the financial support for digital payments announced in the previous Budget, with a focus on promoting use of payment platforms that are economical and user-friendly. The scheme has been formulated in compliance with the aforesaid Budget announcement.
- In FY2021-22, the government had approved an incentive scheme in compliance with the budget announcement of FY2021-22 to give a further boost to digital transactions. As a result, total digital payments transactions have registered a year-on-year growth of 59%, rising from 5,554 crore in FY2020-21 to 8,840 crore in FY2021-22. BHIM-UPI transactions have registered a year-on-year growth of 106%, rising from 2,233 crore in FY2020-21 to 4,597 crore in FY2021-22.
- Various stakeholder in the digital payments systems and the Reserve Bank of India  expressed concerns regarding potential adverse impact of the zero MDR regime on the growth of the digital payments ecosystem. Further, the National Payments Corporation of India  requested, among other things, for incentivisation of BHIM-UPI and RuPay Debit Card transactions to create a cost-effective value proposition for ecosystem stakeholders, increase merchant acceptance footprints and faster migration from cash payments to digital payments.
- The Government of India is taking various initiatives for promotion of digital payments across the country. Over past years, digital payment transactions have witnessed tremendous growth. During the Covid-19 crisis, digital payments facilitated functioning of businesses, including small merchants, and helped in maintaining social distancing. UPI has achieved a record of 782.9 crore digital payment transactions with a value of ₹ 12.82 lakh crore in the month of December 2022.
This incentive scheme will facilitate building of a robust digital payment ecosystem and promoting RuPay Debit Card and BHIM-UPI digital transactions. In-line with the objective of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, the scheme will also promote UPI Lite and UPI 123PAY as economical and user-friendly digital payments solutions and enable further deepening of digital payments in the country, across all sectors and segments of the population.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
India will be self-reliant in the production of fertilizers by 2023 : Shri Gowda
New Fertilizer units being setup with an investment of 40,000 crore rupees : Shri Gowda
Shri Gowda Asks farmers to use Urea judiciously to sustain soil health
The Minister lauds IFFCO’s Nano experiment and called it a game changer
Nano Fertilizers 25-30 % cheaper; results in 18-36% higher agricultural produce maintaining soil health : Shri Gowda
Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda said, by 2023 India will be self-reliant in the production of fertilizers as under “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” programme new fertilizer manufacturing units are being setup with an investment of Rs 40,000 crore in the country to reduce dependency on import.
Shri Gowda was addressing a webinar on “Self-Reliant India and Sustainable Agriculture ”organized by IFFCO for the farmers of Karnataka. He said, “As per Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Atma Nirbhar Bharat vision to promote indigenous industries, we are converting all fertilizer companies to gas based technology. Recently we have revived four urea plants  in India. By 2023 we should become self –sufficient in the production of Fertilizers."
Union Minister informed that Government is encouraging the production of organic and Nano fertilizers in the country as they are 25 to 30 per cent cheaper and give 18 to 35 per cent higher yield and keep the soil in good health. He lauded the IFFCO’s Nano experiment and called it a game changer. He informed that Nano fertilizers distributed freely to 12,000 farmers and agriculture universities across the country have given positive feedback.
Shri Gowda asked farmers to use Urea judiciously as excessive use of Urea may spoil the soil health. He advised farmers to use fertilizers according to their soil health cards.
He praised the efforts of IFFCO, during the COVID pandemic period for not only keeping regular supply of fertilizers but also organising campaigns by distributing masks, sanitizers and hand gloves to mitigate the spread of COVID . He also thanked other fertilizers companies and Railway department for playing important role in timely supply of fertilizer during the COVID pandemic period.
More than 1500 farmers from Karnataka took part in the Webinar through zoom. Managing Director IFFCO, Dr. U S Awasthi, Marketing Director Yogendra Kumar, IFFCO Karnataka marketing manager Dr. Narayanaswamy , agriculture scientists from University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore and other eminent dignitaries also participated in the Webinar..
Ministry of Defence
India & US hold 11th Defence Technology & Trade Initiative Group meeting virtually
Key highlights:
- Co-chairs agree on revised Statement of Intent to strengthen dialogue on defence technology cooperation
- First Project Agreement for Air-Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle under Joint Working Group Air Systems signed since last meeting
- Defence Industry Collaboration ForumVirtual Expo conducted to further encourage development of niche technologies
- DTTI Group aims to create opportunities for co-production &co-development of defence equipment
The 11thDefence Technology and Trade Initiative  Group meeting between India and the United States  was held virtually on November 09, 2021. The meeting was co-chaired by Secretary  Shri Raj Kumar from Ministry of Defence, Government of India and PTDO  Under Secretary of Defence for Acquisition and Sustainment from US Department of DefenceMr Gregory Kausner.
The DTTI Group meetings are normally held twice a year, alternating between India and the US. However, this DTTI meeting was held via Video Teleconferencing consecutively for a second time on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The aim of the DTTI Group is to bring sustained leadership focus to the bilateral defence trade relationship and create opportunities for co-production and co-development of defence equipment. Four Joint Working Groups focused on land, naval, air and aircraft carrier technologies have been established under DTTI to promote mutually agreed projects within their domains. The groups reported to the co-chairs on ongoing activities and collaborative opportunities, including a number of near-term projects targeted for completion on priority.
As evidence of their commitment to demonstrating the success of DTTI, the co-chairs agreed on a revised Statement of Intent  that declares their intent “to strengthen our dialogue on defence technology cooperation by pursuing detailed planning and making measurable progress” on several specific DTTI projects.
The co-chairs were also pleased to note that since the last DTTI Group meeting in September 2020, the first Project Agreement for Air-Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle under the Joint Working Group Air Systems was signed which is a major accomplishment for DTTI.
To further encourage US and Indian industries to develop niche technologies under the DTTI Group, the Defence Industry Collaboration Forum  Virtual Expo was conducted on November 08, 2021. The DICF was convened by Joint Secretary  Shri Anurag Bajpai and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Industrial Policyand Mr Jesse Salazar. This forum offers an opportunity for Indian and US industries to be directly involved in DTTI and facilitates dialogue between government and industry on issues that impact industrial collaboration. The results of the discussion were briefed to the DTTI Group co-chairs.
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 135 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 22.83 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
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VACCINE DOSES
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SUPPLIED
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1,35,94,88,700
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BALANCE AVAILABLE
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22,83,05,346
More than 135 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 22.83 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Shri Kiren Rijiju attends Khelo India Winter Games in Ladakh, assures sports infrastructure development in the UT
Zanskar Winter Sports & Youth Festival 2021 started on 18th January and will take place till 30th January 2021. A host of outdoor activities are being organised in the picturesque Zanskar Valley of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Organized by Ladakh Administration, the main attractions of the first-ever Zanskar Winter Sports & Youth Festival are Chadar trek, snow skiing, snow scooter and hiking, ice hockey, and others.
Union Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, attended the festival and said that he will create sports facilities in every village of Leh and Ladakh. "In the next 2 to two and a half years, we will create sports facilities in all small districts in Kargil, Leh and all the adjoining areas. We will provide Astro turf, athletics synthetic track, archery centres and so on. We will also provide Ladakh with India's largest ice hockey centre," Shri Rijiju said.
Prime Minister's Office
PM lauds the passage of One Hundred and Twenty-Fourth Constitution Amendment Bill, 2019 in the Lok Sabha.
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has lauded the passage of the Constitution  Bill, 2019 in the Lok Sabha.
“The passage of The Constitution  Bill, 2019 in the Lok Sabha is a landmark moment in our nation’s history. It sets into motion the process to achieve an effective measure that ensures justice for all sections of society”, the Prime Minister said.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Rajya Sabha passes The Medical Termination of Pregnancy  Bill, 2021
The Rajya Sabha has approved the Medical Termination of Pregnancy  Bill, 2021 to amend the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 on 16th March 2021. The Bill was approved in Lok Sabha on 17th March 2020.
Salient features of amendments:
- Enhancing the upper gestation limit from 20 to 24 weeks for special categories of women which will be defined in the amendments to the MTP Rules and would include survivors of rape, victims of incest and other vulnerable women  etc.
- Opinion of only one provider will be required up to 20 weeks of gestation and of two providers for termination of pregnancy of 20-24 weeks of gestation.
- Upper gestation limit not to apply in cases of substantial foetal abnormalities diagnosed by Medical Board. The composition, functions and other details of Medical Board to be prescribed subsequently in Rules under the Act.
- Name and other particulars of a woman whose pregnancy has been terminated shall not be revealed except to a person authorised in any law for the time being in force.
- The ground of failure of contraceptive has been extended to women and her partner.
The Medical Termination of Pregnancy  Bill, 2021 is for expanding access of women to safe and legal abortion services on therapeutic, eugenic, humanitarian or social grounds. The amendments include substitution of certain sub-sections, insertion of certain new clauses under some sections in the existing Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, with a view to increase upper gestation limit for termination of pregnancy under certain conditions and to strengthen access to comprehensive abortion care, under strict conditions, without compromising service and quality of safe abortion.
It is a step towards safety and well-being of the women and many women will be benefitted by this. Recently several petitions were received by the Courts seeking permission for aborting pregnancies at a gestational age beyond the present permissible limit on grounds of foetal abnormalities or pregnancies due to sexual violence faced by women. The amendments will increase the ambit and access of women to safe abortion services and will ensure dignity, autonomy, confidentiality and justice for women who need to terminate pregnancy.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
PLI Scheme
Keeping in view India’s vision of becoming ‘Atmanirbhar’ and to enhance India’s Manufacturing capabilities and Exports, an outlay of INR 1.97 lakh crore  has been announced in Union Budget 2021-22 for PLI schemes for 13 key sectors of manufacturing starting from fiscal year  2021-22.
The 13 key sectors include already existing 3 sectors namely  Mobile Manufacturing and Specified Electronic Components,  Critical Key Starting materials/Drug Intermediaries & Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients,  Manufacturing of Medical Devices and 10 new key sectors which have been approved by the Union Cabinet in November 2020. These 10 key sectors are:
 Automobiles and Auto Components,  Pharmaceuticals Drugs,  Specialty Steel,  Telecom & Networking Products, Electronic/Technology Products,  White Goods ,  Food Products,  Textile Products: MMF segment and technical textiles,  High efficiency solar PV modules, and  Advanced Chemistry Cell  Battery.
PLI Scheme for an additional sector, Drones and Drone Components, has also been approved by the Union Cabinet in September 2021. With the announcement of PLI Schemes, significant creation of production, employment, and economic growth is expected over the next 5 years and more.
The schemes have been specifically designed to attract investments in sectors of core competency and cutting edge technology; ensure efficiency and bring economies of size and scale in the manufacturing sector and make Indian manufacturers globally competitive so that they can integrate with global value chains.
The PLI schemes are being implemented by the concerned Ministries/ Departments. There are targeted promotion activities being taken up by concerned Ministries/ Departments for identification of potential global and domestic investors by way of organizing investor networking events, investor roundtables, seminars and one-on-one meetings with potential investors.
All the approved sectors identified under PLI Schemes follow the broad framework of new and emerging technologies where India can leapfrog, overall economic gain accruing to the economy and export potential of the sectors. These sectors were recommended by NITI Aayog after detailed deliberations with concerned Ministries/ Departments followed by approval of the Union Cabinet. Any new sector for PLI will require fresh approval of the Cabinet. There is no proposal by NITI Aayog to expand scheme to other sectors.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri SomParkash, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.